Research is ... With emphasis in the field of communication (UST - Development Communication)

Research is ... 

With emphasis in the field of communication  (University of Santo Tomas Development Communication)

Dr Abe V Rotor

Former Professor, UST Graduate School and Faculty of Arts and Letters

Research comprises "creative work undertaken on a systematic basis in order to increase the stock of knowledge, including knowledge of man, culture and society, and the use of this stock of knowledge to devise new applications." It is used to establish or confirm facts, reaffirm the results of previous work, solve new or existing problems, support theorems, or develop new theories. 

Aristotle, father of scientific research

A research project may also be an expansion on past work in the field. To test the validity of instruments, procedures, or experiments, research may replicate elements of prior projects, or the project as a whole. The primary purposes of basic research (as opposed to applied research) are documentation, discovery, interpretation, or the research and development (R&D) of methods and systems for the advancement of human knowledge. Approaches to research depend on epistemologies, which vary considerably both within and between humanities and sciences. There are several forms of research: scientific, humanities, artistic, economic, social, business, marketing, practitioner research, etc.

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1. Research is… a historical and comparative study of People, Media and Power, referring to the role of media in people’s revolution such as People’s Power at Edsa, Arab Spring in the Middle East, Occupy Wall Street in the US, and similar contemporary mass uprisings - not to mention, their precursor of French Revolution, and our own struggle of Independence during Rizal’s time.

2. Research is … tracing the “Theories of the Press” (Authoritarian, Libertarian, Social Responsibility, Soviet-Totalitarian, and the latest - Development Communication), how they evolved into dominant movements, and ultimately analyzing their role in shaping our society and our world.

3. Research is … inquiring into Culture and Values, national and universal in a fast changing world as people move from rural to urban centers, cities bursting at the seams, so to speak, and modern living shifting to post modernism.

 

Bas-relief sculpture "Research holding the torch of knowledge" (1896) by Olin Levi Warner. Library of Congress, Thomas Jefferson Building, Washington, D.C. At the main entrance of the University of Santo Tomas, two statues stand on each side of the Arch of the Centuries, they represent man's yearning for knowledge and wisdom. One is shown holding the Book of Wisdom.

4. Research is … looking into participatory journalism, and investigative journalism, their increasing importance as tools in carving out excesses and abuses of power on one hand, and anarchy on the other, in pursuit of a peaceful, orderly, and progressive life.

5. Research is … examining and evaluating the modern tools of communication, from print to multimedia, with the vast application of cyber technology and network that can reach the far ends of the earth, carrying information, entertainment, education, heretofore abreast and encompassing.

6. Research is … looking into the flaws of media, violation of the Code of Ethics and Human Rights, and offering corrective measure and setting directions of responsibility and accountability of media practitioners.

7. Research is … investigating the root cause of libel cases, and other media violations, legal and moral, and how these can be avoided through legislation and implementation.

8. Research is … determines what kind of research must be given importance and priority, where developing countries such as ours should aim at applied or functional research, rather than basic research which is expensive and fundamentally - but not functionally and directly - useful.

9. Research is … studying the effective means of distance learning or teaching through media (university without walls, e-learning) whereby students can obtain their education with affordable cost without leaving their home-base and workplace, thus enabling a country to provide mass quality education to its population.

10. Research is … determining the scope and limits of Press Freedom vis-avis Human Rights and state security, among other considerations.

11. Research is … looking into the role of media in crisis situation, on the battle front, or war zones, and under conditions where the media is placed in perilous and sensitive situation.

12. Research is … finding out the effectiveness of many learning instruments such as Paaralang Bayan sa Himpapawid (People’s School on Air); Laedza Batani (Let’s wake up!), STOU (Thailand) Open University, Kibbutz (Israel) and commune schools, outreach programs, rural immersion, barefoot doctors, school in Blog, and others.

13. Research is … finding out the complementary role of media in the implementation of the new general education under the K to 12 Program, catalyzing the program’s objectives and goals.

14. Research is … preparing the student in working for his thesis (Bachelor’s and Masteral), and dissertation (doctoral), and guiding him in the actual performance of his study.

Scientific Research: Author studies a rare marine fossil along the coastline of Sta Maria, Ilocos Sur

15. Research is … critiquing Advertisements and Promotions of products and services in order to guide both producer and the public to uphold dignity and decency, and exercise prudence and responsibility in not only on the merits of products, but their educational aspects as well.

16. Research is … consolidating, interpreting and writing implementation guides of  laws and rules – international and local – governing media, these include Copyright Laws, the Constitution, Code of Ethics, and those that govern Press Councils, Journalist Associations, Press Conventions.

17. Research is …guiding students in choosing their topics based on practicability (cost, time frame, facility), especially in the research proper, which comprise the methodology, analysis and interpretation of data and findings, conclusion, and finally in drawing out recommendations regarding the findings.

Humanities Research: Si Malakas at si Maganda 

18. Research is … guiding students in the publication of the results of their research in Journals, books, TV and radio broadcast, on the Internet, and in local publications for the information of the grassroots.

19. Research is … linking laboratory findings and field application, technology with enterprise, thus establishing a system whereby findings are brought to people’s use, and therefore contributory to growth and development.

20. Research is … never static, exclusive, and academy-centered; neither a monopoly of a few, and that as the prime mover of invention and discovery, it must address itself to the needs of a a progressive, sustainable society. ~